The city of Mafra (Portugal) is the place where the largest residence of Portuguese monarchs was built. It is located 30 km north of Lisbon. The central part of the building resembles a cathedral, and inside it impresses with wealth and luxury.
Historical background
The start of construction of the Mafra Palace was timed to coincide with the birth of Prince Jose I, the heir to King Joao V. The work was carried out from 1711 to 1730. The plans of the royal family were modest, they wanted to build a small monastery, but the financial situation was strengthened, and the monarch decided to build a palace that would outshine the royal residence Escorial, located near Madrid, with its beauty and splendor.
After the completion of construction work, the palace did not immediately become a royal residence, initially members of the royal family used it for organizing diplomatic receptions and hunting in the local forests.
Interesting fact! At the beginning of the 20th century, when the power of the monarchs was overthrown, the palace complex was declared a museum.
A trip to the palace complex
All buildings of the Mafra Palace cover an area of almost 4 hectares (37,790 sq. m.), including 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, 156 staircases and 29 courtyards. Impressive, isn’t it? The construction of such a magnificent building was made possible thanks to Brazilian gold, which flowed into the country and allowed the king to carry out his plans in art and strengthen the royal power.
For the royal monastery of Mafra, the king commissioned sculptures and paintings from the best Italian and Portuguese masters, and all the church clothes and religious gold were brought from Italy and France.
Interesting fact! Unfortunately, the splendor of the palace, which reigned during the reign of the kings, can not be seen today. Since the members of the royal family during the war with Napoleon left for Brazil, taking with them tapestries, furniture, paintings.
What parts does the palace consist of?
Monastery
At first, it was intended for 13 monks, but the project has undergone major changes. As a result, the building was equipped with everything necessary for 300 Franciscan monks.
The King personally provided support for the monastery, paying all expenses out of his own pocket. Members of the religious community were paid twice a year and provided with necessary food – wine, olive oil, and cows-throughout the year. In addition, the monastery had a garden and several water tanks.
The Basilica
This is the central point of the main facade of the Mafra Palace in Portugal. There are bell towers on both sides. The basilica is made in the Baroque style. Limestone from the Sintra region was used for the construction. The floor and walls are decorated with marble.
It is noteworthy that the dome with a height of 65 m and a diameter of 13 m was the first dome built in Portugal. The main of the 11 chapels is decorated with paintings of the Virgin Mary, Jesus and Saint Anthony, to which the church is dedicated.
Inside the temple there are as many as 6 organs decorated with gilding. The six organs in the Basilica of the Palace of Mafra are famous all over the world. It wasn’t the sheer number that made them famous, although the fact itself is remarkable. The peculiarity is that they were built at the same time and were originally conceived for playing together.
Bell towers
In the Palace of Mafra in Portugal, there are 2 bell towers – on the sides of the Basilica. The total number of bells here is 98, which makes the belfry the largest in the history of not only Portugal, but also the whole world. They say that the ringing can be heard within a radius of 24 km!
Library
The library occupies the largest and most prestigious room in the building. It is one of the most significant Enlightenment libraries in Europe and has about 36 thousand volumes. The room has the shape of a cross, the size is 85*9.5 meters.
Access to the library requires a permit that can be obtained by researchers, historians, and scientists whose object of study explains the need for access to the collection. Tourists are not allowed to walk in the library, so as not to disrupt the unique ecosystem.
The hospital
Here they treated the seriously ill. Every day, a doctor and a priest came to the patients, and monks-nurses took care of the patients. Only members of the nobility could be treated here, and they were allowed to attend church services.
Pharmacy
In the temple building, the monks kept medicines created from herbs grown in their own garden. Also, the composition of medicinal products included honey, melon, mint, wax, resin. Here are the tools that the monks used in the production of medicines.
Halls of the Palace
- Diana’s Hall. The ceiling of the room is painted by a Portuguese master, he depicted the goddess of hunting Diana, along with nymphs and satyrs.
- The throne room. Royal audiences were held here. The walls of the hall depict the royal virtues.
- Discoveries. Here are the most significant discoveries made by the inhabitants of Portugal.
- The Hall of Destinies. All the monarchs who ruled the country before King Joao VI are represented here, and the Temple of Destinies is also depicted.
- Hunting. Many royal families spent a lot of time hunting, and the design of the hall is entirely dedicated to this royal hobby.
- Don Pedro V Hall. The room is made in the style of romanticism. The hall is also known as Red or Waiting Room. It was in this room that the guests waited for the royal family to invite them to the Hall of Music.
- Hall of Blessing. This is the main room, located in the gallery between the two towers of the palace of Mafra. The entire royal family gathered here during religious events. The hall has a veranda that overlooks the palace square.
- Music, Games and Leisure Hall.
- The first hall was also called the Yellow Hall and served as a reception area for guests. The second hall contains games that were popular among the aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Practical information
1. Opening hours
- Every day (except Tuesday) from 9-30 to 17-30. The palace complex is closed on public holidays-January 1, May 1, Easter and December 25. An hour before the end of work – at 16-30 – the doors of the palace are closed.
- The basilica is closed for entry from 13: 00 to 14: 00.
- It is forbidden to enter with suitcases, large backpacks, large and heavy objects, as well as with animals.
- Address of the place of interest: Palácio Nacional de Mafra, Terreiro D. João V, 2640 Mafra, Portugal.
2. Ticket prices
- adult – 6 euros;
- ticket for seniors (over 65 years old) costs 3 euros;
- access to the terraces will cost 5 euros (you need to make an appointment in advance).;
- Admission is free for children under 12 years of age.
3. How do I get there?
The distance from Lisbon to Mafra is 39 km, just under an hour’s drive. You can get there by bus, which departs from the Campo Grande station. The stop is called Mafra Convento. The ticket price is 6 euros, the ticket can be purchased from the driver.
It is not a problem to get to Mafra by car. GPS coordinates: 38º56 ‘ 12 “N 9º19’34” O.
The palace-Monastery of Mafra (Portugal) may not only surprise you with its labyrinth and intricate passages, stairs and corridors, but also give you pleasure from visiting it.
You might also be interested: nearby Lisbon is the city of Sintra, which is home to 5 palaces.
For a long time, the National Palace of Sintra was the residence of kings, but today it belongs to the state and is one of the most visited attractions in Portugal.
Official website: www.palaciomafra.gov.pt.
Interesting facts
- The palace is the main attraction of Mafra and in 2007 it was included in the list of Seven Wonders of Portugal.
- In 2019, the palace was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- At the time of completion, the palace complex in Mafra was the most expensive building in the country.
- The local bell tower can be heard at a distance of 24 km.
- Bats were placed in the palace library to fight insects.
Sintra Palace: Portugal’s Royal Jewel in the Heart of Sintra
